Die-cast casement window construction



p 21, 1965 R. J. M. CONGDON 3,207,207

DIE-CAST CASEMENT WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed May 14, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l MAX CONGDO/V INVENTOR.

Sept. 21, 1965 R. J. M. CONGDON 3,207,207

DIE-CAST CASEMENT WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed May 14, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E- INVENTOR.

R. J. MAX CO/VGDON /3. w j W United States Patent 3,207,207 DIE-CAST CASEMENT WINDOW CONSTRUCTION R. J. Max Congdon, 1421 Baldwin, Jenison, Mich. Filed May 14, 1962, Ser. No. 194,623 Claims. (Cl. 160-92) This invention relates to the construction of casement windows. The features of the invention provide a structure which permits the use of die-casting procedures to replace the conventional welded construction. The advantages of die-casting over welding include:

(a) Greater uniformity and interchangeability (b) Availability of corrosion-resistant material (c) Elimination of manual operations through casting inner and outer frames each as one piece without seams (d) More economical use of metal (e) Reduction of weight (f) Superior appearance (g) Improved sealing characteristics (h) Simplified assembly (i) Integral screen (j) Prevention of rust.

The preferred form of the window construction provided by this invention includes an outer frame provided with a peripheral member for embedment in mortar or cast concrete, which is the usual method for securing these assemblies to masonary structures. The outer frame defines a window opening receiving an inner frame which carries the glass panels, or light. A seal strippreferably cylindrical in natureextends along a groove in the outer frame, and provides continuous sealing around the opening against the inner window frame. The open ing in which this inner window frame is received is also preferably defined by a flange extending generally perpendicular to the plane of the window opening. This flange is provided with a series of spaced apertures for receiving locking lugs interengaging the inner and outer windows along the edge adjacent the pivot mounting of the inner window frames. This arrangement improves the seal, and also tends to avoid gradual deformity of the inner window frame under continuous seal pressure.

The invention also provides for an integral screen cast directly in the material forming the outer frame. The problem here is to prevent the flow of die-cast material in the liquid form through the interstices of the screen. This is accomplished by cold-forging the screen along a relatively narrow strip defining the opening so that it is compressed to a thickness preferably slightly in excess of one diameter of the wire of which the screen is formed. Experience has shown that this degree of compression will so reduce the interstices that flow of metal out from the cavity defining the frame is substantially prevented.

The inner window frame is pivotally mounted on the outerframe, and a flange preferably surrounds glass-receiving openings. This flange is provided with bosses for engaging knock-out pins familiar in conventional die-cast construction. These bosses are given a secondary utility by the present invention, however, in that they are used to maintain a spaced relationship between the edges of the glass and the surrounding flanges for engagement of securing clips, and to maintain the position of the glass panels on a sealing strip carried in a definite position by the inner frame. The inner frame is preferably warped by chilling the frame (after it is removed from the casting die) on a plate having pre-determined curvature with respect to the outer frame. The configuration thus established will cause a resilient pressure of the inner frame against the surrounding seal, when the window is enclosed in locked condition. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, which includes the integral screen, the inner window frame is provided with a drain-exchange ledge which extends along the lower edge of the inner frame to a point close enough to the screen to transfer droplets of water to help to prevent accumulation of water along the window seal. An assembly embodying the preferred form of the invention is mountable in any position without danger of dis-assembly in use, and requires no glazing compounds of any type. The function of this compound in conventional windows is taken over by the one-piece seals between the window panels and inner frame. This arrangement obviously simplifies glass replacement.

The several features of the invention will be analyzed in further detail through a discussion of the particular embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 presents a fragmentary plan view of an assembled window embodying the features of the preferred form of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 presents a section on an enlarged scale showing the installed relationship of the window with a surrounding masonry structure.

FIGURE 3 is a section of the inner window flange, on an enlarged scale, on the plane III-III of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a front view of the section of the structure shown in FIGURE 3, FIGURES 3 and 4 being in projection.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the construction of the casting die utilized for the integral formation of the screen with the outer frame.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view in sectional elevation showing the clips securing the glass panels in position.

FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate the curved deformity of the inner frame utilized to maintain resilient pressure along the sealing strip surrounding the edge of the window.

FIGURE 9 shows a modification of the invention for accommodating a replacement screen.

Referring to the drawings, the outer frame generally indicated at 10 includes a peripheral web member 11 for engagement with poured concrete 12 as shown in FIG- URE 2, to install the window assembly in a surrounding masonry structure. A drainage ledge 13 overhangs the point of junction between the concrete 12 and the web member 11 on the outer side of the assembly so that water will be deflected away from the junction point to inhibit the entrance of moisture in that area, which might subsequently freeze and damage the masonry.

On the opposite side of the frame from the drainage ledge 13, a flange 14 extends around the opening defined by the frame, and is provided with a series of openings 15 for receiving the locking lugs 16 extending from the bearing bosses 17 in the preferred form of the invention. These bosses serve the additional function of providing abutments for engagement with conventional knock-out pins of the casting die which forms the inner frame 18. The presence of the bosses 17 establishes a spaced relationship between the inner frame 18 and the flange 14 to establish a clearance space shown at 19 for accumulation of sand or other foreign material in a position which will not interfere with the operation of the window.

The outer frame 10 of the preferred form of the invention also includes a screen shown at 20 in FIGURE 2 which is cast integrally with the frame, entering the frame at the edge 10a of the ridge 10b. The arrangement and equipment for doing this is best shown in FIGURE 5. The casting die sections 21 and 22 are maintained in opposite relationship to define a cavity between them indicated at 23 conforming to the frame illustrated in FIGURE 2. The screen 20 is gripped along a path indicated at 24, and pinched between the die sections 21 and 22 to a thickness substantially less than that of the original screen. It is preferable that this reduction be accompanied by considerable deformity of the metal constituting the wires of which the screen is made, so that the resulting thickness of this path is slightly in excess of one diameter of the screen wire. An un-pinched section of screen extends into the cavity forming the frame as shown in FIGURE at 25, and the screen therefore becomes securely embedded in the material of the frame. The flow of liquid casting material into the cavity 23 is under considerable pressure, and the compressed path of screen 24 serves to reduce the interstices in the screening to the point where the liquid metal does not flow out into the screen.

The replacement of the integral screen 20 requires the removal of the damaged screen from the frame by the passage of a cutting tool around the edges of the screen opening indicated at 44 in FIGURE 9. An auxiliary screen member (not shown) of convention-a1 construction is then secured to the surface 45, preferably with self-tapping screws. Cast-in recesses 46 for receiving these screws (to eliminate the need for drilling) may be incorporated in the frame 10, and these should be covered at the surface 45 by a thin section of metal 47 that can be pushed in as the screws are inserted. Prepared holes in the screen will serve to locate the recesses 46 from the outside, thus preserving the continuity of the surface 45.

The inner frame 18 is disposed inwardly opposite the ridge 10b, and is pivotally connected to the outer frame 10 through the engagement of conventional integrally cast pivot lugs at 26 with cast recesses in the outer frame. These recesses and pivots are covered after assembled by a plate as shown at 27 secured by screws 28 and 29. The axis of pivotal mounting of the inner frame with respect to the outer frame is thereby established adjacent the normally lower edge of the window assembly. The engagement of the locking lugs 16 with the apertures 15, as shown in FIGURE 2, tends to maintain the relative alignment of the inner and outer frames against the pressure provided by the sealing strip 30 received in a corresponding groove in the outer frame 10. This strip extends entirely around the opening defined by the frame 10.

The swinging of the inner frame about the lugs 26 is limited by the conventional link straps 49 pivotally secured to the frame 10 by the screws 50. The T-shaped lugs 51 are cast integrally with the inner frame 18, and engage a slot in the link straps in the usual manner. In assembling the device, the straps are oriented to accept the heads of the lugs in the slot, and the straps are then swung to a position for inserting the screws 50. In the latter position, the heads of the lugs 51 are preferably securely retained by the straps 49.

To provide a resilient tendency for the inner frame to bear along the seal 30 disposed in a groove in the inner face of the ridge 10b, the inner frame is deformed on chilling after removal from the casting die, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. The lower edge (adjacent the pivots 26) is bowed so that it deflects the central portion toward the outer frame, as shown in FIGURE 8, with the result that the engagement of the pivot lugs 26 will establish a resilient yielding pressure along the length of the inner frame, with the inner frame acting as a deflected beam. The opposite edge of the inner frame is provided with a locking member controlled by the handle 31, and including a cam 32 engaging an opening in the upper flange 33 of the outer frame in the conventional manner. Closing force is thereby established at the central portion of the upper edge of the window, and the inner frame is therefore formed on chilling as shown in FIGURE 7 so that contact is initially made at the outer edges, with continued pressure being established by the cam 32 to draw the window inward in a resilient action to establish uniform seal pressure.

The inner frame 18 includes flange means as shown at 34 defining at least one opening for receiving single or double glass panels as shown at 35 and 36 in FIG- URE 1. The flange 34 is interrupted at a plurality of points by bosses as shown at 37, these being provided not only as points for engagement of knock-out pins in the casting die, but also to establish a spaced relationship between the edges of the glass plates 35 and 36 and the flange 34 for receiving the conventional securing clips 38. The configuration and installation of these is best shown in FIGURE 6. Holes as shown at 39 are provided in the flange 34, and these are engaged by the offset ends 40 of the clips, with an opposite offset 41 being disposed to bear on the sealing strip 42 embracing the edge of the plate 35. The central portion 43 of the clips 38 is provided to establish an increased resiliency, an is disposed in the space between the flange 34 and the edge of the plates to establish a locating function for positioning the clips 38.

The bosses 37 also assure that the glass panels (of standard dimensions) are always located properly with (respect to the sealing strip 48. The dimensions of the components of the assembly are established so that a shift of the glass panels to one side will not move them off the strip 48 under the maximum accumulation of tolerances.

As clearly shown in FIG. 2, a drain-exchange ledge 52 extends along the lower edge of the inner frame and partially overhangs the outer frame to a point close enough to the screen 20 to transfer droplets of water so as to prevent its accumulation along the seal 30.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. A window assembly comprising:

an outer frame defining a window opening, and having a flange substantially perpendicular to the plane of said opening and provided with apertures,

and an inner frame mounted in said outer frame opening and pivotally connected to said outer frame at spaced points adjacent one edge,

said inner frame having bosses providing points of bearing engagement between said inner frame and said outer frame flange,

said inner frame also having members extending from said bearing bosses for pivotal engagement with said outer frame flange apertures adjacent said one edge.

2. A window assembly comprising:

a die cast metal outerframe having a ridge disposed with the edge thereof defining a window opening,

said outer frame having screen material across said opening, with the edges of said screen material intersecting said edge and embedded in the material of said outer frame;

and an inner frame mounted in said outer frame inwardly opposite said ridge and pivotally connected to said outer frame at spaced points adjacent one edge,

said inner frame having a drain exchange ledge extending adjacent the lower edge thereof in close proximity to said screen in the closed position of said window and partially overhanging said outer frame.

3. A window assembly comprising:

:an outer frame defining a window opening, and having a surface parallel to the plane of said opening and a groove in said surface surrounding said opening, and also having a seal disposed in said groove;

and an inner die cast metal frame mounted in said outer frame opening and pivotally connected to said outer frame at spaced points adjacent one edge, said seal engaging proximate vertical surfaces of said frames under closed conditions of the window assembly,

said inner frame defining at least one glass-receiving opening, and

said inner frame being curved in the free state with respect to said outer frame so that the central portion of said inner frame between said spaced pivot points bears resiliently on said outer frame in the closed position of said window.

4. A window assembly comprising:

an outer frame defining a Window opening,

an inner die cast frame mounted in said outer frame opening and pivotally connected to said outer frame at spaced points adjacent one edge,

said inner frame defining at least one glass-receiving opening substantially surrounded by flange means interrupted by a plurality of knock-out pin bosses;

transparent panel means normally received over said inner frame glass opening, with the edges of said panel means maintained in spaced relationship with said inner frame flange means by the said bosses interrupting the same;

and clip means engaging said inner frame flange means for securing said panel means, and having portions normally entering the space between said flange means and the edge of said panel means.

5, A window assembly comprising:

a die cast outer frame defining .a window opening, and having a flange substantially perpendicular to the plane of said opening and provided with apertures,

and also having a seal groove surrounding said window opening,

said outer frame having screen material across said opening, with the edges of said screen material embedded in the material of said outer frame;

an inner die cast frame mounted in said outer frame opening and pivotally connected to said outer frame at spaced points adjacent one edge,

said inner frame defining at least one glass-receiving opening substantially surrounded by flange means interrupted by a plurality of knock-out pin bosses,

said inner frame being curved in the free state with respect to said outer frame so that the central portion of said inner frame between said spaced pivot points bears resiliently on said outer frame in the closed position of said window, and said inner frame being oppositely curved with respect to said outer frame at the opposite edge of said inner frame,

said inner frame also having knock-out pin bosses providing points of bearing engagement between said inner frame and said outer frame flange, and

said inner frame having members extending from said bearing bosses for engagement with said outer frame flange apertures;

transparent panel means normally received over said inner frame glass opening, with the edges of said panel means maintained in spaced relationship with said inner frame flange means by the said bosses interrupting the same;

clip means engaging said inner frame flange means for securing said panel means, and having portions normally entering the space between said flange means and the edge of said panel means,

and lock means securing said inner frame to said outer frame at the central portion thereof adjacent the edge remote from said spaced pivot points.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,193,144 8/16 Hester 20-56.4 1,686,046 10/28 Taylor 18969 1,708,068 4/29 Kuney 18978 1,730,781 10/29 Monis 92 2,111,107 3/38 Walde 22-203 2,136,729 11/38 Stahl 18946 2,326,856 8/43 Heaney 18969 2,332,330 10/43 McMahan 2-2203 2,713,896 7/55 Kehne 160-92 3,002,556 10/61 Tourville 16092 3,048,897 8/62 Slade 16035 X 3,106,269 10/ 63 Revell et :al 189-75 X HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, JOSEPH D. BEIN,

Examiners. 

1. A WINDOW ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: AN OUTER FRAME DEFINING A WINDOW OPENING, AND HAVING A FLANGE SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE PLANE OF SAID OPENING AND PROVIDED WITH APERTURES, AND AN INNER FRAME MOUNTED IN SAID OUTER FRAME OPENING AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID OUTER FRAME AT SPACED POINTS ADJACENT ONE EDGE, SAID INNER FRAME HAVING BOSSES PROVIDING POINTS OF BEARING ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SAID INNER FRAME AND SAID OUTER FRAME FLANGE, SAID INNER FRAME ALSO HAVING MEMBERS EXTENDING FROM SAID BEARING BOSSES FOR PIVOTAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID OUTER FRAME FLANGE APERTURES ADJACENT SAID ONE EDGE. 